Paul Bebe, Les Arc, 2006

Memorial, Paul’s funeral, Blacon crematorium, this morning.

Our mountain biking buddy, Paul, died of cancer this month at only 40 years old. It only feels like a moment ago we spent carefree days on the trails, Paul lugging his super-heavy Orange Patriot downhill bike around the cross-country trails with us. He always beat us to the top.

Paul was one of those friends that makes you feel very fortunate to have had him in your life. He was a great person and we are going to miss him. He was friendly, generous and kind, always willing to lend a helping hand in his typical laid back style. Nothing was ever too much trouble.

He was a man of few words but the ones he used were well chosen. His one liners were sure to have you in stitches. This went with a mischievous streak that you always had to watch out for. You could be sure to end up with a smile on your face when Paul was about.

Although quiet he was not shy and was always involved with things. We met through one of his great loves; mountain biking. He loved the outdoors and was always keen to head into the hills. He gained a lot of respect for dragging his heavy Orange Patriot bike up mountains. I don’t know how he did it. This strength was something that showed in everything he did, no matter how hard the task he just got on with it and never complained. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer he just shrugged, seemed to take it in his stride and bought a new (and lighter) mountain bike to ride, ready for when he got better.

Although not the fastest of the mountain bikers we know he still beat us up to the top of the hill and left us standing on the downhills. When I think of Paul I will only have happy times to remember. In particular I always come back to him letting me think I was at last going to beat him to the top of a climb. Just before the summit he would give me a cheeky grin and effortlessly cruise past me only to disappear in a cloud of dust down the other side.

There was standing room only at his funeral. It takes a remarkable person to be so well liked and so highly thought of. He has left his mark on our lives and for that we will be grateful.

We will miss you Paul, we hope your Orange Patriot is with you now.